The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-08-07
THE Tariff IN ALABAMA.
A Southern State that IL Not 40 Much ros
Free Trade Ms 10 Was. :. ID.

MONTGOMERY, Aug. 3.-Tke usual mid
summer dulness Of an "off year in politics is
being disturbed in Alabama this season bys
tariff discussion OF more than ordinary signi1-
canoe. The appearance OF Senator Morgan at
a recent public meeting III MONTGOMERY as an
ultra tariff reform orator was the signal for
yolley oil along the line Of Alabama pros
tectionists. whose ranks hate OF late been
RAPIDLY filing up with recruits. Thus far the
discussion has been confined chiefly to the
newspapers. but some Of the enthusiastic ad-
mirers Of Mr.. Randall have seriously proposed
TO invite the distinguished Pennsylvania to
Alabama to meet Senator MorRan on the
stump In case the latter gentleman continues
his war upon the tariff. 1t is idle to suppose
that either OF these distinguished statesmen
would cohsent to such meeting. which could
have no Other result than to widen the breach
which already threatens the SUCCESS OF the
Democratic party in one or moro OF the Con-
gressional districts OF the State; but the fact
that 1T has been proposed shows that tho pro-
tectionists feel themselves ready fdr trial OF
strength in some loeaAtlhg with thu, tariR re-
form wing OF the pRrtY.'"G'e - :, f-,a
There can BIO no deniul of tina fact that the
protection doctrine is gaining ground with
wonderful rapidity in Alabama. It'll already
aquestion whether an avowed tariff reformcr
can carry either the Sixth or Seventh district,
which are represented respectively in the pres
ent Congress by Mr.. John H. Bankhead and
Gen. William II. Forney. The failure OF the
former gentleman to put himself squarely and
unequivocally on protection platform during
his canvass for Congress u year ago lost him
the county Of Jefferson. d Democratic strong
hold even in the dark days of reconstruction,
Notwithstanding thefact thRt he was the regu-
lar Democratic nominee. For tho same cause.
probably. his support in the other white coun.
not been for tho majoritiss given him In the
The solidity, Of the Alabama delegation in Con.
Gress would have been broken. 1t goes witha
out question that, a skiiral performance Of the
two-horse act will not insure his reelection to
goes hsfure the people he will be forced to ally
himself with one or the other wing Of the
Interest ~ tie sNS ara VIII snv sn
REPRESENTATIVE In Congress earnestly support
lag the policy Of protection. ~
Seventh district, which has been represented
Ia S,onsfssS Tor long term Of years by Gen.
Montgomery Dispatch, one OF the leading Dem.
representative Into that district TO ascertal
the investigation showed TINT It was gaining
ground r,.pidiy, Gen Fornsy may be classed
be has been q satisfactory representative to
beth wings OF tho party: but Il now, appears
ne TIC nus M
forests Of the district demand q more pro-
nouneed repre- sonta iye Of their views. A lead.
ing Democratic editor OF that district said, in
an interview @ low days since. that the Protoc.
tiontsts intended to mako a square fight In.
side o. the party. and that no comnromiISe OF
ever, Gen. forney Is personally very popular:
and he may be able to "strnddle" the tariff
question in such way az to maintain united
Democracy in the Seventh district during the
next campaign.
Beyond all question the tariff, retormers
large, and Senator Morgan does not leopard
hts reelection by appearing rs their cham
pien hut his less brilliant hut more prac-
ticai colleague. Senator Pugh, already fore.
sees thnt the time Is not lar distant when the
mannia,eiurins interests VII be q cantrollns
the state, and no is IN no hurry TO antagonizs
those interests, The dictnm, "a tariff for
revenue with Intentional protection" attributed
70 Senator Iugh. hus made him strong, with
the protectionlsts, without as yet draw
i IRS d thD P bo Of tho ,, Nrstss%ers On
light before him which no, does, nct
seek to shnn. He will no doubt DO choson
as his OWN successor In 1888. but he will NOS
have the walk over" that he has before had.
II there Is q ghost OF n chance OF success tho
nrotectionista will put candidate in the field.
Tho challenge which he threw down in hi,
montgomery speech has been taken up, and
pnforo another year has passed he will find
mat q mighty change hns taken place since no
WAS returned 70 the Senate iiye years ago The
B'rmingham Aoe says, HE viii find that u
minds q the people In all this tmtncrall portion
OF the State that protrrtiCn Is necessary. ahso-
lntely necessary, 20 the future welfare OF this
great and growing commonwealth"